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July 4, 2011 in Features
Do Your Part: Be cool this summer; don’t waste energy
Depending on where you live, cooling your home accounts for as much as 50 percent of the money you spend each month on utilities.
There are many ways to keep your cool while doing your part to waste less energy. And less energy wasted means more money in your wallet.
First, if you have a home cooling system, program your thermostat to work around your family’s summer schedule. Set it a few degrees higher when no one is home, so you’re not cooling an empty house. Contrary to popular belief, your system doesn’t struggle to make up the difference.
One thing that will benefit your cooling system and help you feel cooler is to dehumidify the air. It’s true that a dehumidifier can put off a little heat, but you’ll still use less electricity making it feel cooler in your home.
A fan is another great way to make it feel cooler in your home; it alone can make a room feel as much as seven degrees cooler. If you raise your thermostat by two degrees and use a ceiling fan, you can lower cooling costs by up to 14 percent.
Ceiling fan blades should spin counter-clockwise during the hotter months, generating a stronger breeze directly under the fan. Of course, you waste less energy by turning off the fan when you leave the room.
Closing the blinds and curtains during the day can also make a difference. When you block the sunlight you can reduce the heat coming into your home by as much as 40 percent.
To maximize your benefit, make sure the side of the curtain facing the window is white and sun-reflecting. You can also choose curtains with a thermal lining for additional insulation.
If you’re planning to cook, remember the kitchen is also a source of heat inside your home. Avoid running appliances such as the dishwasher during the day. Instead, run it at night and only when it is fully loaded.
Instead of heating up the oven, fire up the grill to keep it cool inside. Using the microwave is another way to whip up a meal without creating more heat in the kitchen.
Finally, plant a tree (or two) near the southwest corner of your home. Choose a deciduous tree that will shade your home in the summer and shed its leaves in the fall to allow in warm winter sunlight. Plan for the tree to grow there for decades, so don’t plant it too close to your home.
Combined, these tips can dramatically reduce the amount of energy you use to keep your home cool. And you’ll hardly break a sweat to make them work for you.
Terri Bennett is a veteran TV meteorologist, syndicated columnist and host of DoYourPart.com where you can find everyday green living ideas that are better for you and the planet. Send questions to terri@doyourpart.com.
Horoscope 
idahocity on July 04 at 6:16 a.m.
and the clothesline goes unsung. again. sorry clothesline maybe next year. i still love you even though my allergies are so bad if i dry anything on you and get it near me my airways narrow.
oneanddone on July 04 at 11:31 a.m.
And, Spokesman-Review, you can do your part by not cutting down SO many trees, or giving space to unscrupulous advertisers, or …
terryalan on July 04 at 12:16 p.m.
Conserve Electricity!!! We can’t conserve no stinkin’ electricity, if we do Avista profits will decline and they will have to raise rates again……
westerly on July 04 at 1:42 p.m.
Remember….Avista knows how much you over indulge!! You will pay…….ha..
force_vector on July 04 at 5:16 p.m.
“And less energy wasted means more money in your wallet.”
Avista will make sure that isn’t true. Screw them and screw you, Spokesman.
soccermomsusie on July 04 at 9:14 p.m.
Wow! This article is chockfull of ideas I would never had thought of. If you turn your air conditioning to a warmer setting it will cost less? Really!??? Amazing! Today’s paper just paid for itself.
If I may add other suggestions to stay cool and save money this summer:
1. Discontinue wearing long underwear in the summer.
2. Stop burning money in the woodstove.
3. Try eating salads instead of soups.
4. Less blankets on the bed.
5. Ditch the down jumpsuits.
I dont have all the researchers that the author had to come up with such edgy ideas, but I am trying.
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!